Spheres of It Project Complexity and It Project Manager Archetypes and Roles: A Case Study

ABSTRACT

Effective information technology (IT) project managers (PMs) are recognized as being essential for project success. However, little research has focused on the roles IT PMs must play. Utilizing a qualitative field study, we found 4 IT PM archetypes (checklist, technical lead, organizational process lead, and poly-synchronous) employed in practice. We discuss our findings regarding the assignment of multiple PMs in the presence of complex IT projects and provide organizations with practical inferences to consider.

KEYWORDS:

• IT project management
• IT project manager’s role
• IT project complexity
• IT project manager archetype

Notes

1. This ability is referred to as ‘technology agility’ in (Wu et al., 2011).

2. see Appendix for interview questions.

3. Links the Archetype to the IT PM Roles, please refer back to the IT PM Roles discussion for details.

4. ‘Convention’ refers to how frequent these archetypes were found within the organizations participating in this study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Wilfred W. Wu

Wilfred W. Wu is an assistant professor of Information Systems in the Department of Operations & Technology Managementat the University of Portland’s Robert B. Pamplin Jr. School of Business Administration. His research interests include areas in IT project management, IT innovation, the cost and value of IT, and the strategic use of technology within organizations. He has published in MIS Quarterly Executive, Computers in Human Behavior, Journal of Global Information Technology Management, Information Systems and Change Management, the International Journal of Management Theory and Practice, and the Journal of Accounting & Corporate Governance.

Mike Taein Eom

Mike Taein Eom is a professor of Information Systems and Emerald distinguished professor of Operations & Technology Management at the University of Portland’s Robert B. Pamplin Jr. School of Business Administration. His research interests are in IT leadership, requisite IT skills set, IT education and retention, IT project management, e-commerce, strategic use of IT, IT valuation, knowledge management, and virtual teams and organizations. He has made several publications in Journal of Management Systems, Information Systems Management, JITTA, International Journal of E-Business Research, and Journal of Information Technology Management, and a book chapter on virtual organization and global virtual teams.

Jingu Song

Jingu Song is a professor of College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Gachon University in South Korea. His research focuses on Leadership, Leadership Development, Organizational Behavior, Human Resource, Organization Development, and IT Leadership. He has published many articles in Leadership Review, Korean Journal of Business Administration, Journal of Organization and Management, and Korean Journal of Management. He also published several books on Entrepreneurship and Strategy.